While 2016 will go down as annus horribilis, it proved to be
a superb year for the music industry. The last 12 months have bought with it a
windfall of albums simultaneously exciting and great and resulted in a
close-contested choice for album of the year. Here are my reviews for every
album I listened to this year.
Ball Park Music - Every Night the Same Dream (7/10)
Brisbane's finest consolidated their reputation as one of
Australia's most popular bands with their fourth album. Channelling their psychedelic
side ever so slightly and indulging their love of the 60's and 70's, Every
Night the Same Dream only fell down due to a lack of memorable singles,
something its predecessor, Puddinghead, had in spades.
Key Track: Ever Since I Turned the Lights On
Basement - Promise Everything (7/10)
The British emo favourites returned from hiatus to deliver a
welcome return to recorded music. Scrappy at times, but delivered enough of
their trademark, gloomy punk to satisfy fans and count as a success.
Key Track: Aquasun.
The Bennies - Wisdom Machine (8/10)
The Ska-punk party group made people sit up and take notice on
their second album. While the light-hearted tracks about drinking, drugs and having
a swell time all round were still there in abundance, the band also took time
to demonstrate the serious side and nous for song-writing.
Key Tracks: Party Machine, Detroit Rock Ciggies.
Biffy Clyro - Elipsis (7.5/10)
It was different, it was crazy, and it was bold. Never ones to
rest easy on their laurels, the Scottish trio explored a diverse range of
styles and confirmed their status as one of the world's best rock bands. They
even did a country song!
Key Tracks: Wolves of Winter, Animal Style.
Bloc Party - Hymns (7/10)
A haunting, soulful, synth-heavy turn of pace from Bloc Party,
with Kele Okereke's vocals adding some much needed depth to an at-times sombre
affair.
Key Tracks: Virtue, The Love Within.
Blink 182 - California (8.5/10)
In the most-talked about comeback of the year, Alkaline Trio front-man
Matt Skiba filled the departed Tom Delonge's shoes more than adequately, as
Blink overcome a slightly bloated track-list to produce their best work since
2003.
Key Tracks: Cynical, Bored to Death, Left Alone, San Diego.
Brian Fallon- Painkillers
In the wake of The Gaslight Anthem's hiatus, frontman Brian Fallon
took the opportunity to pen his first solo record. A stomping folk rock record
with Fallon's penchant for bittersweet lyrics sprinkled throughout, although
lacking a few really memorable songs.
Key Track: A Wonderful Life.
Camp Cope - Camp Cope (8.5/10)
It's been a monumental 2016 for a band who only formed a year ago.
A mixture of affirming and emotional lyricism blended with scrappy, defiant
garage rock catapulted Camp Cope to the top of the Triple J charts. A surprising,
but important record, which gave voice to a number of social issues.
Key Tracks: Done, Jet Fuel Can't Melt Steel Beams, Song For Charlie.
Catfish and the Bottlemen - The Ride (7.5/10)
Fast emerging as one of Britain's biggest rock bands, Catfish and
the Bottlemen stuck to the tried and tested formula on album no. 2. With big
choruses, driving guitars and an excellent rhythm section, they're set to be a
permanent fixture on the UK festival scene for a while.
Key Track: Soundcheck.
Chance the Rapper - Colouring Book (8.5/10)
He started the year with the best verse on Kanye's Ultralight Beam
and further consolidated his reputation as one of the best and most innovative
rappers in the game. A rich cascade of jazz, funk, soul made for one of the
most listenable albums of the year.
Key Tracks: No Problems, Juke Jam, All Night.
Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love! (7.5/10)
The versatile Donald Glover continued his quest towards complete
world domination with a radical change of pace on ‘Awaken, My Love!’. A
funk-tinged and groove-obsessed record marked by a lack of the rapping in which
he made his name allowed Gambino to demonstrate his vast skill set.
Key Tracks: Me and Your Mama.
Columbus - Spring Forever (8/10)
The Brisbane trio churned out some raw, meaty punk rock hooks in
one of the year's best debut albums. Armed to the teeth with energy, there was
nothing unique about their sound, but the execution was perfect.
Key Tracks: Summer Dress, Learn to Swim.
A Day to Remember - Bad Vibrations (6/10)
The first album without Messrs Andrew Wade and Tom Denney at the
helm resulted in ADTR's most disappointing album to date. Feeling like the band
wanted to go for a heavier sound but weren't fully convinced, the lack of
memorable choruses was distinctly noticeable.
Key Track: Paranoia.
Key Track: Paranoia.
DMA's - Hill's End
Yes, it sounded a LOT like Oasis and at times it felt a bit
repetitive. But there wasn't anything really wrong with the album overall, as
shiny, Brit-pop guitar riffs burst back into the limelight.
Key Track: Lay Down
Every Time I Die - Low Teens
The metalcore giants put out another dominating album in the midst
of a draining year for front-man Keith Buckley. An emotional barrage of
noise and self-doubt, with Buckley’s philosophical yet depressing lyrics tying
everything together perfectly.
Key Tracks: The Coin Has a Say, Map Change.
Frank Ocean - blond (7.5/10)
One of the most awaited releases of the year failed to re-bottle
the brilliance of Channel Orange, but still sporadically showed off the genius
and creativity of a talented man.
Key Tracks: Ivy, Solo, Solo (Reprise).
Good Charlotte - Youth Authority (7/10)
After a slew of radio-bothering hits , Good Charlotte marked their
return from a hiatus with a throwback to their roots. Largely devoid of pop
jangles which marked previous records, the Maryland five-piece went back to
basics and gave fans a welcome comeback album.
Key Tracks: Life Changes, Makeshift Love.
Green Day - Revolution Radio (7/10)
Back with a bang (bang), Green Day rebounded from their
widely-panned 'Uno, Dos, Tre' trilogy with a political record custom-built for
playing to massive crowds. It was typical Green Day, and expecting them to tear
up their own playbook and start afresh at this point in time is missing the
point.
Key Tracks: Bang Bang, Still Breathing
Hands Like Houses - Dissonants (8.5/10)
The Canberra five-piece continued to make waves in the punk scene
with their third release. Adding a darker, shadowy edge to their distinct
alternative punk sound helped them write their biggest and best album to date.
Key Tracks: I Am, New Romantics, Colourblind.
Hellions - Opera Oblivion (8/10)
A surprising, yet effective, theatrical take on hardcore. Hellions
deserve credit for not only attempting something so bold, but also pulling it
off. Extra credit for the intellectual lyricism throughout.
Key Tracks: Thresher, Quality of Life.
The Hotelier - Goodness (7.5/10)
A beautiful slab of folk-tinged alt-rock with a healthy slab of
indie thrown in for good measure. The gorgeous instrumentation and lyrics made
this an affable listen, even if it lacked a few instant classics for my liking.
Key Track: Goodness, Pt. 2, Soft Animal.
Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues (9/10)
Stomping, large-sounding rock album with a hint of indie as the
Arizona quartet once again staked their claim as one of the best rock bands of
their generation. Jim Adkins' poignant and reflective writing perfectly complemented
their polished, shimmering sound.
Key Tracks: You With Me, Get Right, You Are Free, Integrity Blues.
Kanye West - The Life of Pablo (8/10)
Love him or hate him, Kanye's 20 track odyssey proved his nous as
one of the most influential and eccentric artists of recent times. Always
looking to stir the pot and provide a fresh take on his sound, at its best, Life
of Pablo is hip-hop at its finest.
Key Tracks: Ultralight Beam, Famous, Waves, 30 Hours.
Modern Baseball - Holy Ghost (8/10)
Indie punk darlings continued to deliver the goods, with
co-vocalists/lyricists Jake Ewald and Brendan Lukens splitting the album in two
and creating a truly personal album.
Key Tracks: Wedding Singer, Just Another Face.
Moose Blood - Blush (5.5/10)
Following the success of their debut album, much was expected of
Moose Blood's sophomore attempt. Unfortunately, what transpired was a
tired-sounding record where every song sounded very similar to the previous
one.
Key Track: Freckle.
The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You've Come to Expect (6.5/10)
Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner re-united with Miles Kane for
their orchestral-themed side project. Turner's smooth vocals predictably
dominated proceedings but while the backing orchestra filled out the grand
vision well, the album was too consistent for its own good.
Key Track: Miracle Alligner.
Letlive. - ...If I'm the Devil (9/10)
Letlive. fully embraced their 'soul-punx' tag, delivering an album
simultaneously aggressive and solemn. It also happens to be (arguably) their
best record yet. Jason Aalon Butler showed off his mournful vocals to brilliant
effect while his social commentary on issues plaguing America was as
intelligent as ever.
Key Tracks: Good Mourning, America, Nu Romantics, Who You Are Not,
Another Offensive Song.
Lonely the Brave - Things Will Matter (8/10)
Skyscraping alt-rock from a band quickly emerging as one of
Britain's finest. Despite some questionable production which made the album
sound like it was recorded in the studio next to the actual ones with the
microphones, the ringing guitars and passionate vocals more than made up for it.
Key Tracks: Black Mire, Rattlesnakes, Dust and Bones.
Luca Brasi - If This is All We're Going to Be (8.5/10)
Tasmania's finest musical export perfectly struck the balance
between punk with melody on their most successful album yet. Full of style and
substance from start to finish.
Key Tracks: Aeroplane, Anything Near Conviction, Count Me Out.
Panic at the Disco - Death of a Bachelor (8/10)
Granting Brendon Urie the keys to the car was the best decision the
band ever made. The lone remaining founding member created the record by
himself and produced a danceable love-letter to partying and Frank Sinatra. The
result? Panic's best album in years and an incredibly fun listen.
Key Tracks: Victorious, Golden Days.
Pierce the Veil - Misadventures (5/10)
The post-hardcore crew's first album in four year fizzed with
energy, but couldn’t deliver a single memorable chorus as Vic Fuentes' fuzzy
vocals failed to ignite a spark. There's little in the way of fun to be found
in a surprisingly lacklustre effort.
Key Track: Circles.
Pup - The Dream is Over (8/10)
The Canadians have already outgrown their tag of punk's best
secret. With a record which feels as if it came directly from a sweaty
basement, Pup's scrappy brand of punk rock was equal parts vivacious and
vicious.
Key Tracks: DVP, Doubts.
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool (5.5/10)
Key Tracks: DVP, Doubts.
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool (5.5/10)
Burn the Witch was a grandiose, slinking opening, but it was all
downhill from there. There was no doubt the instrumentation was superb and the
deft touches save the album from being lamentable, but in reality, there was
little to differentiate most of the songs from one-another.
Key Track: Burn the Witch.
Real Friends - The Home Inside My Head (8/10)
The Illinois pop-punk upstarts consolidated their place amongst
the better offerings the genre currently has with their second full-length
release. Bassist Kyle Fasel's emotional lyrics are delivered with aplomb by Dan
Lambton, and they didn't even mention sleepy eyes or boney knees!
Key Tracks: Colder Quicker, Mokena.
Rufus - Bloom (7/10)
A shimmering indie dance release from the Sydney trio which caught
the eye of the big guns at Triple J. Marked by subtle electronic flourishes,
Tyrone Lindqvist's smooth vocals and a smart ‘less is more’ approach to their
brand of electronica, Bloom proved Rufus are ones to watch.
Key Tracks: Until the Sun Needs to Rise, Innerbloom.
Simple Plan - Taking One For the Team (6/10)
The Canadian's made a booming (pun intended) comeback with a
record which had something for every era of Simple Plan fan. There were
acoustic jingles, more of the pop-rock which had dominated recent records and
nods to their pop-punk roots, but they could've dome with trimming the fat
slightly.
Key Track: Boom.
Sum 41 - 13 Voices (7/10)
After frontman Deryck Whibley's well-publicised battle with
alcoholism and near-death experience, it was just good to see Whibley back on
his feet and Sum 41 making music again. With founding guitarist Dave
"Brownsound" Baksh returning, it ensured the riffs were vicious and
while their best years are behind them, they're still capable of the odd moment
of brilliance.
Key Track: Goddamn, I'm Dead Again.
Taking Back Sunday - Tidal Waves (8/10)
A tweak of style did the trick for Taking Back Sunday on their
seventh album. At a time where some bands start to run out of ideas, the emo
legends took a mature turn, releasing a record where punk-leaning tracks sat
perfectly next to a number of more restrained numbers.
Key Tracks: Death Wolf, Tidal Waves.
This Wild Life - Low Tides (7/10)
The acoustic duo backed up their superb debut album with a
versatile, solid second. The laid-back double-guitar tilt was swapped for an
invigorating, atmospheric sound, although it lacked the gold nuggets littered
throughout their debut.
Key Track: Falling Down.
Thrice - To Be Everywhere is to Be Nowhere (9/10)
The hardcore forefathers continue to prove their place amongst the
most criminally underrated acts of the last decade with another fine offering.
Dialling back the pace but still channelling the rage, it was Thrice at their
best and most invigorating.
Key Tracks: Hurricane, Blood on the Sand, Black Honey, Wake Up.
Trophy Eyes - Chemical Miracle (8/10)
Another Australian punk-leaning band who continued their ascension
towards the top of the scene. The Newcastle five-piece's mature, sure-handed
approach and polished melodic hardcore resulted in an emotional journey from
start to finish. Don't be surprised if they explode within the next couple of
years.
Key Tracks: Chlorine, Miracle.
Tonight Alive - Limitless (5/10)
Sydney's favourite pop-punk act changed literally everything about
the band, releasing a lush, Alanis Morissette-worshipping record. It was a bold
strategy Cotton, but it didn't quite pay off, missing some sorely-needed verve
and at times sounding like the band weren't 100% convinced by their new
direction.
Key Track: To Be Free.
Twin Atlantic - GLA (7.5/10)
After the poppier sound of their previous album polarised fans,
Twin Atlantic nearly broke up, before writing a love-letter to their hometown
of Glasgow. The murky, cavernous guitar riffs may not sell plane tickets to
Scotland anytime soon, but it did save the band.
Key Track: Gold Elephant, Cherry Alligator.
Violent Soho - WACO (7.5/10)
Topping the belated hit of Hungry Ghost was
always going to be hard, but the Brisbane rocker's assured follow-up confirmed
their status as one of Australia's biggest bands. More restrained in places,
but still bearing those familiar, racing, scuzzy riffs.
Key Tracks: Blanket, Viceroy.
Weezer - The White Album (7.5/10)
Weezer fans have long cried out for a consistent album, but their
latest effort was almost too consistent for its own good. Still, it’s easily
one of their best out of their recent releases, with more than a dash of
classic Weezer thrown in for good measure.
Key Track: Thank God For Girls.
With Confidence - Better Weather (8/10)
The Sydney-siders unleashed their debut album, filling the void
left by Tonight Alive’s change of direction. Better Weather bustled with
immediacy, pop hooks and a sense of fun about it. Just because it's been done
before, doesn't mean their vivacious choruses don't deserve attention.
Key Tracks: Voldemort, Keeper.
Yellowcard - Yellowcard (8.5/10)
The violin rockers signed off for good with a heartfelt, emotional
farewell to their fans. Boasting muscular guitar riffs and Ryan Key's trademark
touching song-writing, this is an album which made perfect sense to those who
have followed their career. A fitting goodbye.
Key Tracks: Rest in Peace, Leave a Light On, Fields and Fences.
Top 10 Albums of the Year
Honourable Mentions: The Bennies, Trophy Eyes, Kanye West, Panic
at the Disco, Lonely the Brave
10. Columbus -
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3. Thrice - To Be Everywhere is to Be Nowhere
2. Letlive. - ...If I'm the Devil
1. Jimmy Eat World
- Integrity Blues
